West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1887-10-14
HARpER's FERRY LETTER.
October 10th, 1887.


new hat-a phenomenon of such
astounding portent as to excite the
most curious and even anxious spec
ulation if not superstitious fear.
We have not adopted this disguise
for the purpose of robbing the mail
or with any other Criminal intent but
because we were driven to it by out
ragged public sentiment. We used
to know an old song the refrain oil
which was "When the old hat was
new" and our recollection of that
sentimental outburst is that it was
a touching tribute to the long de-
parted youth of the minstrel and to
antiqunted headgear that had been
the ever faithful, serviceable and
lifelong sharer of his vicissitudes.
1t is a pity that while we are brim-
full of sentiment we find it hard to
give it vent if confined by the rules
of rhyme. We tried it once and to
our desperate attempts on that oc-
casion to make our thoughts jingle
we attribute the almost total loss OF
our hyacinthine locks of once ebon
hue and the present high state of
billiard ball polish with which our
Uranium glistens, for in our despair
we plucked out by the roots nearly
the whole thatch much to the cha
grin of our better half who now
finds it difficult to impress her views
on us with sufficient energy. But If
we are unequal to the task OF en-
balming in UerSe the ever loyal SER
vices of our old retainer, the shade
of that companion of our youth will
take the will for the deed, the more
as it is we'll acquainted with the
many weaknesses of the head it so
long sheltered, and it will be con-
tent with a prose obituary. Its age
is uncertain for it kept no account
of the years itself and, as its birth
was prehistoric, there is no chance
of settlement Of the question by
documentary evidence but it used
to say that it had distinct recol-
lectlons of having been sat upon by
more generations than could be
counted on the hairs of our head.
This, it is true, is, per sc, no proof OF
great antiquity, but the fact that, In
Difference to an indignant public
opinion, WE found it absolutely nee
essary to discard it may be taken as
the most convincing evidence Of its
extreme serility and we will com
promise the subject of its age by eX
pressing it by X as we used to dc
with unknown quantities. 1t is an
old saving that cleanliness is next
to holiness" but, though the prov
erb may be true in every other case,
in that of our old friend we are fore
ed to dissent, for while the subject of
our eulogy was by no means re-
markably clean it was marvelously
fUU ofholeS and indeed the smallest
of the oriiices was the one through
which it admitted our head. When
in our early youth we gained poses
sion of it, by what means is nobOdy's
business-it had long lost its eris
tine lustre and relinquished all pre-
tentions to beauty or symmetry, but
its feelings were never hurt in our
service by a contrast with greater
freshness in other portions or our rap
parel. 1t therefore died at peace
with the world and it parted with
its old associates on our person with
the full assurance that in the nature
of things the time must be very
near indeed when it will be reunited
to it's old companions in the spirit
land of defunct garments. We can
safely say that we will hardly live
to own its like again.
The Rev. Isaac Bobst, OF the Lu
theran Church, at one time station
ed here hut now located in Clear
spring, Maryland, has been visiting,
with his family, his wifes father,
Mr.. Joseph Holmes, Of Bolivar. Mr..
Bobst was very popular while here
and we understand that he is a
great favorite in his present mission
also. We take great interest in him
for his own sake and because his
life partner was one of the most
charming and estimable of our
young ladies.
Mr. Samuel j. Lang, the artistic
Charlcstown tailor, has been making
us regular periodical visits to take
orders and measurements for suits.
He has met with great success, and
has given entire satisfaction to his
customers. From this time he will
be at Harper's Ferry two Saturdays
in every month-the first and third
and his headquarters will be as
usual at Greene's hotel, where his
sign hangs out-nOt Aud Langs
Sign"-but that of q slashing, fine
looking, young fellow as our esteem
ed friend undoubtedly is.
Mayor Chambers has been devot-
ing much time and gratuitous labor
to the improvement of this place, and
it is proposed to name the Camp
Hill spring after him in compliment
to the trouble he has taken in the
town Enthusiastically the develop
ment and protection of that fountain
and the identifying of its surround
ings. We say amen to this.
Al. Liz Ernrt +hn rrrnnt lnnl